Environment

News about the environment, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Nov. 25, 2016

Pres-elect Donald Trump will have range of legal tools with which to dismantle Pres Obama's environmental regulations, as he promised to do throughout his campaign. MORE

Sep. 5, 2016

Practice known as 'rolling coal,' in which diesel truck drivers alter their engines to remove emissions controls and belch black smoke at pedestrians, drivers of hybrid cars and others, is drawing complaints and attention from authorities across United States; some states have moved to ban practice, which functions as both prank and protest against environmentalism. MORE

Aug. 7, 2016

Op-Ed article by environmentalist Bill McKibben describes how operatives employed by group America Rising Squared, offshoot of Republican opposition research group America Rising, follow him around and post pictures and videos of his day-to-day activities on social media, particularly on Twitter; notes only thing he has done to earn stalkers' attention is to advocate for environmental causes, like shutting down Keystone pipeline and calling attention to global warming. MORE

Aug. 6, 2016

Growing number of people around world are making field recordings in nature and in cities, capturing aural landscapes of particular time and place; some use recordings on albums or in concerts, while others simply feel they are performing historical service. MORE

Jul. 8, 2016

Works in Progress column; construction of Bronx River House is nearly complete following decade of planning by Bronx River Alliance; set on banks of freshwater river, greenest most cutting-edge building in South Bronx will serve as headquarters for alliance, which transformed polluted river and surrounding area into park, animal habitat, environmental study lab and community meeting place. MORE

Jun. 23, 2016

Op-Ed article by journalist Vince Beiser warns that Earth is beginning to run short of sand, material essential to construction of cities and roads, largely in form of concrete; notes $70 billion extraction industry is wreaking environmental damage, as is global over-development that fuels demand; supports efforts to moderate industry. MORE

Jun. 21, 2016

Nonprofit Global Witness publishes report saying 185 environmental activists were murdered in 2015, which is 59 percent increase over 2014; case of activist Berta Caceres, who was killed in Honduras, highlighted. MORE

Jun. 16, 2016

Letter from Sen Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island comments on Richard Conniff's June 12 Op-Ed article reminding Republicans of their party's legacy in protecting environment and natural resources. MORE

Jun. 12, 2016

Op-Ed article by wildlife guide Jeremy Hastings describes his reason for using scythe to cut grass on small field he owns, allowing him to complete his task without harming ground-nesting birds; notes larger environmental and health benefits of scything over mowing, technique regaining popularity among farmers and landscapers in Britain. MORE

Jun. 11, 2016

Richard Conniff Op-Ed article offers reminder that American conservatives used to be staunchly in favor of conservation, and that past Republican presidents were responsible for some of country's greatest environmental policy achievements; identifies areas of agreement between environmentalists and conservatives today. MORE

Jun. 8, 2016

Builders in California are utilizing its ballot initiative system, which allows residents to propose and approve laws by popular vote, to hasten big developments and dodge state environmental laws; supporters contend ballot measures let residents avoid ineffective system, while detractors say they give developers special privileges. MORE

May. 27, 2016

Donald J Trump, during policy speech at oil industry conference in North Dakota, lays out his positions on energy and environment; calls for more fossil fuel drilling and less environmental regulations, while also vowing to cancel Paris climate agreement and restore lost coal mining jobs; experts express skepticism over whether Trump understands complexities of global energy economy. MORE

May. 17, 2016

Building trade unions, including AFL-CIO, are enraged over efforts by wealthy environmentalist Tom Steyer to help bankroll voter-turnout super PAC dedicated to electing Democrats and ensuring loss for Donald J Trump in November; many in organized labor view Steyer’s environmental agenda as threat to jobs that could be created through more traditional infrastructure projects like new gas pipelines. MORE

May. 13, 2016

Obama administration is set to announce creation of National Microbiome Initiative, which will involve over dozen federal agencies, universities, philanthropies and corporations; initiative will seek to advance study of trillions of micro-organisms that live in soil and human gut in effort to create new tools, discoveries and training techniques across disciplines including health and the environment. MORE

May. 3, 2016

Greenpeace leaks documents from talks between United States and European Union over Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership trade deal; accuses American negotiators of trying to weaken environmental protection standards and of trying to give corporate lobbyists greater say in decision-making. MORE

Apr. 7, 2016

Arabesque Partners is part of new breed of fund managers committed to investing in firms with good records in sustainability and corporate responsibility; upstart compiles environmental, social and governance factors, or ESG data, on potential investments and uses algorithm to make picks instead of humans; emphasis on ESG info reflects growing belief companies that take care of their communities perform better in long run. MORE

Mar. 19, 2016

Op-Ed article by science and environmental writer Gabriel Popkin examines backlash against Bradford pear trees, unwelcome invasive species that does little to benefit environment; concedes that while tree is bothersome, other environmental priorities are far more important. MORE

Mar. 15, 2016

World Health Organization report finds that about 12.6 million deaths out of total of 55.6 million globally are caused by preventable environmental factors. MORE

Feb. 7, 2016

Dumpster Project at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Tex, teaches sustainable living by requiring students to adapt 33 square-foot dumpster into environmentally-friendly home. MORE

Dec. 31, 2015

Fiddleheads Forest School in Seattle is one of several private preschools around country that focus on outdoor play and interaction with nature; growing national trend has even begun to influence public schools in some areas. MORE

Dec. 17, 2015

Vanessa Barbara Op-Ed article warns multinational mining company Samarco, which was deemed responsible for dam break resulting in environmental disaster in southeastern Brazil, is unlikely to pay agreed-upon cleanup costs or fines; cites historical precedent in country for lack of enforcement for environmental lawbreakers. MORE

Oct. 20, 2015

Chinese scientists and researchers at Chicago's Paulson Institute report country's economic development has rapidly and seriously deteriorated its coastal wetlands; warns future environmental sustainability is at grave risk, and hinges on government initiative and bureaucratic cooperation. MORE

Oct. 9, 2015

California Gov Jerry Brown signs number of environmental bills, including one that compels state's public employee pension funds to divest from coal; law will make California first state in nation to drop its investments in coal. MORE

Sep. 30, 2015

Documentary films Racing Extinction and This Changes Everything have similar messages of environmental destruction infused with sense of hope; filmmakers and distributors have carefully planned marketing campaign to avoid alienating audiences with frightening subject matter. MORE

Sep. 26, 2015

Pope Francis addresses world leaders gathered for three-day summit meeting at United Nations and makes passionate plea for environmental justice, drawing connection between environmental degradation and plight of world's poorest citizens; emphasis placed on these issues mirrors Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders. MORE

Sep. 25, 2015

In Transit blog; Environmental Awareness Month on Dutch Caribbean island of Saba will feature a free series of Sea & Learn events, ranging from hands-on field expeditions with research biologists to scientific lectures, some taking place during happy hour events at local bars and restaurants. MORE

Sep. 5, 2015

Greenpeace India vows to continue its environmental campaigns after government revokes group's permission to accept foreign donations, latest move in crackdown on nongovernmental organizations. MORE

Sep. 5, 2015

Mark Oppenheimer Beliefs column notes New City Church, founded in Minneapolis by Tyler Sit, is among growing number of Methodist churches with environmental focus; Sit's congregation takes active approach to environmentalism that emphasizes social equality and helping needy populations. MORE

Jul. 31, 2015

Judge Michael J Hogan of New Jersey Superior Court hears arguments by environmental groups as well as lawyers for state and Exxon Mobil Corporation in challenge to proposed settlement in ongoing legal battle over environmental pollution at refinery sites. MORE

Jul. 28, 2015

Dr Jennifer L McDonald study published in journal Ecology and Evolution finds that British pet owners emphatically reject notion that cats have negative impact on wildlife, and most would not be willing to restrict their cat's access to the outdoors in effort to protect environment. MORE

Jul. 8, 2015

Pope Francis addresses exploitation of Amazon rain forest during his visit to Ecuador, in implicit rebuke of economic and environmental policies of Pres Rafael Correa; statements were expected, following environmental encyclical released worldwide in June that discussed climate change as a social issue and linked environmental destruction to plight of poor. MORE

Jul. 6, 2015

Pope Francis arrives in Ecuador to begin tour of Latin America, returning to his native region to spread message of a church in transformation; visit to area, which contains several poor but environmentally rich countries, is especially significant in light of Francis's encyclical on the global environment. MORE

Jun. 19, 2015

Pope Francis sets off uproar over his document on environment and peril of climate change, with industrialists, politicians and critics once again saying he should stick with religion and not make fuss in areas where he lacks competence; Francis is following in footsteps of popes and bishops who have penned documents on social problems by applying religious teaching to current events. MORE

Jun. 17, 2015

Leak of Pope Francis' message on environment creates tension in Vatican, among both staff members and reporters, who criticized others for breaking promise not to publish before release of final document. MORE

Jun. 16, 2015

Leaked draft of papal encyclical on environment has Pope Francis calling for swift action on climate change by people of all religions; includes references to scientific evidence and touches on familiar themes regarding inequality and anti-consumerism. MORE

Jun. 8, 2015

Editorial calls on Pres Obama to be willing and ready to use his veto power to block onslaught of legislation from Congressional Republicans intended to cripple critical environmental protections about to be promulgated by Obama administration; assails Congress for its lack of leadership, calling it transparent protection of big business and an appalling disregard for health of America's natural resources. MORE

May. 23, 2015

California State Assembly approves measure to ban use of microbeads, tiny plastic balls used in personal care products that manufacturers herald for their exfoliating power; environmental activists say particles flow through pipes and drains when washed off, winding up in nation's lakes and rivers, and eventually, the food chain. MORE

May. 21, 2015

House Republicans' attempt to block endangered species protections for the sage grouse and two other birds as part of $612 billion military bill sets off major congressional skirmish; push, part of a broader Republican attempt to roll back environmental regulations, has outraged environmentalists and Western state constituents. MORE

May. 3, 2015

Board of Swarthmore College announces it will not drop fossil fuel investments from its $1.9 billion endowment, despite demands of student protestors; school is considered to have sparked environmentally-focused divestment movement that has spread to other colleges. MORE

Apr. 23, 2015

Civic leaders and environmental experts welcome OneNYC, ambitious long-term environmental plan for New York City introduced by Mayor Bill de Blasio, but caution that it remains unclear how measures will be achieved; far-reaching goals include eliminating use of landfills by 2030 and lifting some 800,000 people from poverty. MORE

Apr. 22, 2015

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio repurposes PlaNYC, environmental program set up by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, changing focus to fit with his own ambitious antipoverty agenda; changes name of program to One New York: The Plan for a Strong and Just City, or OneNYC; assures critics that concrete environmental and sustainability goals of plan's previous incarnation will remain intact. MORE

Apr. 15, 2015

Eduardo Porter Economic Scene column examines new arguments from environmentalists against current strategies for sustainable growth in developing world; suggests nations must be allowed to develop economically before they can adopt regulations, and that demanding unreasonable concessions pushes them further into China's sphere of influence; examines counter-intuitive environmental benefits of 'development first' theory. MORE

Apr. 14, 2015

Idea of composting human dead is taking green burial movement step further and attracting interest from environmental advocates and scientists; environmental fellowship recipient Katrina Spade has begun Seattle-based Urban Death Project, initiative that seeks to create facility that combines environmentally conscious burial with ceremony and respect family members crave. MORE

Apr. 11, 2015

Op-Ed article by Prof Douglas M Thompson warns of adverse environmental effects of stocking American rivers with trout from hatcheries; points to overfishing of ocean fish species in order to create trout food, pollution created by trout hatcheries and low survival rates of hatchery-born fish; urges stricter protections of native fish in order to protect their numbers in wild. MORE

Mar. 10, 2015

Lawmakers and environmentalists are questioning why New Jersey's attorney general’s office settled for significantly less than the state had been seeking in lawsuit with Exxon Mobil Corp over environmental damage; records show that if deal is approved, New Jersey will probably receive $180 million or so--small fraction of $8.9 billion in damages it was seeking in court--and is likely to lose additional $45 million in legal fees. MORE

Mar. 5, 2015

Op-Ed article by attorney Bradley M Campbell decries decision by Gov Chris Christie to settle multibillion-dollar environmental lawsuit against Exxon Mobil for mere cents on the dollar; questions whether Christie was motivated in part by large sums Exxon contributed to Republican Governors Assn while he was group's chairman. MORE

Mar. 3, 2015

New Jersey State lawmakers discover obscure provision in law that could allow Gov Chris Christie to use most if not all of proposed $250 million settlement against Exxon Mobil Corp, which was sued over its spilled pipelines and explosions that contaminated wetlands and waters, toward balancing state budget; lawmakers attempt to revise law so that money goes toward restoring environmental damage, but Christie vetoes effort. MORE

Feb. 8, 2015

Donovan Hohn First column describes how reversal of Chicago River, long considered triumph of engineering, is now known to be responsible for contaminating bodies of water to the south with invasive species; notes that it is one of many engineering projects, like dams and draining of wetlands, that country is now trying to reverse in order to improve environment. MORE

Jan. 20, 2015

Op-Ed article by Profs Don Melnick and Mary Pearl, along with policy expert James Warfield, proposes new method to save tropical forests from decimation; holds that forests' carbon reserves could be sold as offsets to greenhouse gas emitters, raising funds for their protection; observes that previous objections to method have been addressed. MORE

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